The Importance of Learning to Fall

As parents, you want your children to grow up healthy, happy, and confident. One essential skill that often gets overlooked is the ability to fall safely. From our Teeny Tots to our Sports Performers, teaching kids how to fall can have lasting benefits that extend far beyond just preventing bumps and bruises. Let’s explore why learning to fall is so important and how you can help your child master this vital skill.

Why Learning to Fall Matters

1. Safety First

Teaching children how to fall correctly is crucial for their safety. When kids learn to fall in a controlled manner, they are less likely to get hurt. This foundational skill not only helps them fall less often but also reduces the severity of injuries when they do fall.

2. Boosting Coordination

Falling might seem like a simple act, but it involves a lot of coordination. By practicing how to fall, children develop better body awareness, balance, and coordination. These skills are essential not just for play but also for everyday activities.

3. Building Confidence and Resilience

Every time a child falls and gets back up, they learn an invaluable lesson: it’s okay to stumble and try again. This process builds resilience and confidence, empowering them to face challenges head-on without fear of failure.

4. Promoting Longevity and Independence

Learning to fall safely can enhance a child’s sense of independence. When kids know they can handle a fall, they are more willing to explore and take risks. This confidence can lead to a more active lifestyle as they grow, fostering a lifetime of health and fitness.

5. Reducing Fear

For many children, the fear of falling can be paralyzing. Teaching them how to get back up after a fall helps diminish anxiety and encourages them to engage in physical activities without hesitation.

Athletic Advantages as They Grow

As children grow into tweens and teens and potentially develop into young athletes, the ability to fall safely becomes even more critical. Here are a few reasons why:

1. Reducing the Risk of Injury

In sports and physical activities, falls are inevitable. By learning how to fall correctly, children can significantly reduce their risk of injury while improving their overall athletic performance.

2. Quick Recovery

Athletes who know how to fall can get back on their feet more quickly and efficiently. This skill allows them to return to the game with minimal downtime, keeping the momentum going.

3. Enhancing Athletic Performance

Balance is key in almost any sport. Practicing falls helps improve a child’s balance and agility, which are essential for excelling in athletic skills.

Tips for Teaching Kids How to Fall Safely

Now that you understand the importance of falling, here are some practical tips for teaching your children how to do it safely:

1. Crouch Down

Encourage children to bend their knees and elbows to both lower themselves to the ground so they have less distance to fall and also to help absorb the impact naturally.

2. Splat

Try to land with as much body-surface-area as possible, thereby reducing pressure to any one individual body part.

3. Learn to Roll

Teach them to roll smoothly upon hitting the ground. Start with shoulder rolls and forward rolls and gradually introduce diagonal and backward rolls. If there is slight horizontal momentum in the fall then performing a rocking motion to distribute/disperse the falling force may be effective however when the speed of horizontal momentum increases past a walking pace rolling motions are often more effective. Though when the horizontal momentum increases beyond a running pace a slide is often more effective for example in alpine skiing.

4. Avoid Planting Limbs

Remind them not to plant their hands or elbows during a fall, as this can lead to injuries. Encourage them to bend their elbows in close to their body.

5. Chin Tuck

Instruct them to keep their chin tucked away from the ground to protect their neck.

6. Slap the Ground

Practice slapping the floor with both arms extended and palms facing down to create a larger surface area for impact, which can help reduce injury. Called a break fall in martial arts this is useful when there is no forward or horizontal momentum during the fall eg. Slipping on ice.

Conclusion

Teaching your child how to fall safely is a gift that will serve them well throughout their lives. Not only does it enhance their safety and coordination, but it also builds confidence, resilience, and independence. As they grow, these skills will give them a significant advantage in sports and physical activities. So, get out there, have fun, and practice those falls! Your child will thank you for it later.